Voyagers Book 1: Project Alpha

By: D.J. MacHale

After a year of testing, only eight 12-year-olds remain.  Four of them will be chosen for a

journey in outer space to retrieve a fuel source to save the world.  Dash wants desperately to be one of the four, but he knows he is up against some serious competition.  The challenges and tests get more difficult.  But, Dash and his friends also realize that there are many unanswered questions.

Mrs. Senechal says:
I was honored to receive an "Advanced Reader Copy"!  I think my students will love this book, the first in the series.  There is lots of action and suspense and some amazing futuristic tools, vehicles, and gadgets.  There are also codes to break and the ability to participate online!  Fans of the 39 Clues series will really like this series, too.

Loot

By: Jude Watson

March was raised by his father, Alfie, a master thief.  While trying to complete a heist his

dad falls to his death.  He has a few words for March, and it's over.  March is amazed to find out he has a twin sister!  Even more amazing, they realize their dad has left them clues to a treasure worth millions.  But, they quickly find that Alfie's former partner, their mom's sister, and a TV reporter are all after the treasure as well!


Mrs. Senechal says:
I love a story where the usual bad guys, in this case thieves, are actually the good guys!  The author creates unique and interesting characters and keeps the suspense high.  There were many unexpected twists and turns throughout the story.  Watson is one of the authors of The 39 Clues series, and this book was just as exciting!

The 39 Clues: Unstoppable: Book 1: Nowhere to Run

By: Jude Watson

Dan and Amy Cahill have traveled the world to find their family's secret and protect it from being used by many villains.  They thought they had finally found peace, but a new villain has stolen the secret serum and has made Dan and Amy the target of a terrible media smear campaign.  Once again, Dan and Amy find themselves trying to solve a mystery while running from their enemies.

Mrs. Senechal says:
I continue to love this series!  This new twist in the 39 Clues plot is definitely exciting.  I like that some of my favorite characters are back and many new characters keep the story interesting.  You will like this book if you like action, adventure, mystery, and suspense.  I'm looking forward to each upcoming book!

The 39Clues: Cahills v. Vespers, Book 6 - Day of Doom

By: David Baldacci

This book ends the Cahills v. Vespers series of The 39 Clues.  Amy and Dan have desperately traveled the globe trying to meet the demands of the evil "Vesper One" who is holding members of their family as hostages.  Now, Amy and Dan must stop him from using his Doomsday Device which could destroy the entire world.

Mrs. Senechal says:
I really liked how this book tied together many different aspects of the series.  The author did a great job of bringing back characters from previous books.  And, as I would expect, the story was filled with non-stop action and suspense!  There were some surprises, but I thought the end was very fitting.

Walls Within Walls

By: Maureen Sherry

After their father creates a successful new video game, CJ, Brid, Patrick, and their family

move from their cozy home in Brooklyn to a fancy apartment in Manhattan.  The children are not excited to leave their home, friends, and familiar surroundings.  However, they soon discover a painting behind a grate in their new apartment.  As they look closer, the children find that their are clues all around their new home that point to a long-lost inheritance.

Mrs. Senechal says:
This book caught my attention because I always wished that I could have had a mysterious adventure like this when I was growing up!  I liked how the author incorporated descriptions of current New York City along with historical information.  It was fun to read about famous NYC people and landmarks and the impact they had on the city we know today.  I also enjoyed reading some of the famous poems that provide clues to help the children solve the mystery.  If you like The 39 Clues series, I think you'll like this book, too.  Thanks to Kimberly for suggesting this book to me!

The 39 Clues: Cahills v. Vespers, Books 4-5

Book 4 by Roland Smith
Book 5 by Linda Sue Park

Amy and Dan continue to do the bidding of Vesper One, but only because he holds seven members of their family hostage.  At least they have added Atticus and Jake to their team.  Unfortunately, there is still trouble at every turn, and each time they think they have accomplished something, Amy and Dan are met with a new challenge.

Mrs. Senechal says:
I've been holding off reading these books because every time I finish one, I can't wait to read the one that follows.  So, with a snow day following a weekend, I thoroughly enjoyed reading these two!  As you can expect from this series, the suspense and adventure never slow down.  I love the detail that goes into each historical item or new city they visit.  And now, Book 6 - here I come!

The 39 Clues: Cahills v. Vespers, Book 3: The Dead of Night

By: Peter Larangis

In this third book of the "sequel series" to the original 39 Clues books, Dan and Amy are once again on the run.  However, now, instead of discovering clues, they must steal ancient and priceless treasures.  The infamous Vesper 1 has kidnapped multiple members of Dan and Amy's family, and is holding them hostage.  Dan and Amy must continue to follow all directions given by Vesper 1 or else he threatens to kill one of their relatives.

Mrs. Senechal says:
This book is a fantastic addition to the series!  It keeps the excitement and suspense that have made the previous books so great.  Even though Amy and Dan continue to succeed under extremely difficult conditions, the authors add great twists and turns to keep the readers on their toes.  I am very excited to continue reading this series!

The 39 Clues (series)

By: Riordan, Korman, Lerangis, Watson, Carman, Park, and Haddix

The 39 Clues is a series of 10 books.  Nine of the books are currently available, and the tenth book will be in stores on August 31, 2010.  Besides an exciting part to the story, each book contains 6 clue cards which readers can use to try to help solve the mystery by going to http://www.the39clues.com/.

The books follow Amy and Dan, two orphans raised by a grouchy great-aunt and a series of nannies, but loved greatly by their grandmother, Grace.  But when Grace passes away, instead of an inheritance, Amy and Dan, set out on the hunt for the 39 Clues which are said to lead to an amazing and powerful treasure.  Unfortunately, the other members of the family are on the hunt as well, and they will stop at nothing to beat each other to the final prize.  Amy and Dan quickly find themselves using all their wits to escape fires, capture, and deceit while trying to get to the clues before anyone else.

Mrs. Senechal Says:
I am currently reading book 5 in the series, and every book so far has been fantastic!  I love the constant action and suspense.  It's also interesting to read about so many countries and famous people from history.  The adventure in this book reminds me a bit of the National Treasure movies.  I'm looking forward to reading the entire series - glad book 10 comes out soon!